Rich MacDonald is a lifelong birder, naturalist, and field biologist. He can often be found outdoors with binoculars strapped over his shoulder and an ear tuned to the birds. Much of his time has been spent investigating the natural world for organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Audubon. His studies have encompassed Lake Champlain's colonial waterbirds, northern forest boreal birds from the Adirondacks to Newfoundland, and migratory songbirds in the Dominican Republic. In recent years, Rich has served as lead naturalist on several National Public Radio cruises.